Rooney makes 23-man cut for Fifa’s Ballon d’Or shortlist

ENGLAND and Manchester United forward Wayne Rooney has been included as the solitary British player among Fifa’s 23-strong list for the Ballon d’Or award for 2012’s best player.

The Merseysider is among five Premier League based players – alongside United team-mate Robin van Persie and Manchester City’s Sergio Aguero, Mario Balotelli and Yaya Toure – included on the players’ list, while United’s Sir Alex Ferguson, City’s Roberto Mancini and Chelsea’s Roberto Di Matteo are in contention in the coach’s category.